Wilks v. Sexson: Sexson Wins!

Brad Wilkerson had 3 hits yesterday, with 1 walk, bumping his average up to .232 for the year. Today, he was designated for assignment. Baseball terms for fired. Sacked in Brittish. So it's officially over. Richie Sexson is the "winner." I use quotes because anyone who is batting only .207 isn't really a winner.

On Monday, Jimbo made a plea for Wlad the Impaler in his comments on the subject. Today, the Mariners called up catcher Jeff Clement and outfielder Wladimir Balentien from AAA Tacoma today. As you may know and can read in the linked Times article above, these two young bucks add much needed power to the M's lineup. Hopefully manager John McLaren will play the two youngsters, sitting the struggling hitters to spark the team. If you want to read more on the players, here are some notes I found on Balentien and Clement courtesy of the News Tribune.

Wilks v. Sexson (the Steve Kelly addition)

We check in with a third installment of Wilks v. Sexson. The Seattle Times eternally whining Steve Kelly called out for Wilks to be out right waived in today's paper, after he took a called third strike to end the eighth Sunday, in what became a 4-2 Mariners loss to Oakland.

Brad Wilkerson is now hitting .189 overall, with "Big Sexy" Richie Sexson above the Mendoza Line at an .207 AVG. Also entering the conversation is the M's switch hitting DH José Vidro barely edging out Wilks with a .195 batting average.

So in our informal race, Big Sexy is in the lead now with a higher average coupled with 5 HR and 16 RBI. Of course, he's making 10 million dollars more per year.


Kelly's article is his umpteenth plead to the Seattle organization to bring back Ken Griffey Jr. Although I think it would be a great story to bring the face of the franchise (with apologies to Alvin Davis and Edgar Martinez), it's highly implausible due to the fact that Griffey originally wanted to go back "home" to Cincinnati and play for the Reds. And although the Reds aren't going to win anything anytime soon in the NL Central, why would Griffey's reasons for leaving have changed? His homes are in Cincinnati and Florida. Nostalgia is a powerful tool. But stop toying with our emotions, Kelly. At this point, you are three years away from becoming the second coming of Skip Bayless.

Wilks vs. Sexson

Looks like the Times picked up the Lodge Wilks vs. Sexson battle and ran with it in today's paper. It's amazing when Sexson is the "leader" in the battle, and he's hitting only .217 with 5 hits in 23 at bats. At least he has 3 2Bs and 1 HR in his 5 hits.

Wilkerson is hitting just .059 after seven games, with a lone single to show for his 17 at-bats. "I'm not swinging the bat worth a crap right now," he said. At least he can admit he stinks. Just keep Big Sexy away from him so we don't have 2 guys dragging us down. He does have seven walks, which is tied with 1B Richie Sexson for the team lead. Said Wilkerson, an admitted slow starter: "It's only 17 at-bats, but I've got to start to do my part."

We all know the shaky bullpen, the M's are now 2-5 and traveling to TB for a series on the road against the Rays. Remember the Soriano trade to ATL about a year and a half ago... thanks for that, Bavasi. That's when I was calling for his head, I'm back on the job. Fire Bill Bavasi.

UPDATE: Sexson went 2 for 3 tonight to raise his AVG to .259 for the year. Wilks was 1 for 4 with a 2 RBI single to raise his AVG to a robust .095 for the season.

Welcome to Wilks vs. Sexson

Here's to a new weekly running segment chronicling the misadventures of RF Brad Wilkerson, the $3 million free agent signing that has the potential to outshine the other Bavasi free agent diamonds such as Scott Spezio, Rich Aurilla and Pokey Reese and everyone's favorite 6'7" 1st basemen.

Because I think everyone is familiar with Sex Machine here's a little background on our newest contestant:

*came up through L'Expos farm system, but hails from Owensboro, KY which is less than 100 miles away from Florence, KY home to another Seattle Fan Favorite who used to wear #37 for the Seahawks

*came in 2nd in the NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2002 when he hit .266 in 507AB, two points lower than his career high, oh and he also gobbled up 161 SOs that season, which was good for fourth place in the NL, 8 SO's more than fantasy killer Pat Burrell

*Has a lifetime .249 average, but has failed to hit above that mark since 2004, his last with L'Expos.

*Last season with Arlington Rangers hit .234 in 338ABs w/ 107 SO, 20HR 67RBI and 4SB to boot...now compare that with a certain lengthy cleanup hitter that did this last season: .204 in 434AB w/ 100 SO, 21HR 63RBI and 1SB and you have all the makings of a quality middle of the lineup

So here is our initial rundown of Wilks vs. Sexson, which is only three games in so far with 450 AB's still to go, but if the first 3 games are any indication of the fun we're going to have the season...well...people get f'n ready:

Wilks:
3G 11AB 1H 1SB 2BB 3SO .091

Sex Machine:
3G 11AB 1H OSB 2BB 4SO .091

Total Pants Points:

*Sexson -1

*Wilks -0

This weeks winner goes to Sexson for getting that extra SO and steering clear of trying to swipe 2nd with the long strides that make the Crouch-a-tron jealous.